South Korea Family Holidays
Family Holidays to South Korea
South Korea has become one of Asia’s most dynamic, energising and – let’s be honest – achingly cool destinations for a family holiday, with the country’s cultural profile rising ever higher on the global stage.
From K-pop to K-drama, tech to fashion, South Korea is at the cutting edge, making a visit to the country ever-more enticing, especially for teenagers. As most people’s entry point, Seoul is the obvious focus, but there’s so much more to discover around the rest of the country, and the widespread family-friendly attitude makes for a relaxing welcome for kids of all ages.
Enjoy the delights of Seoul’s colourful streets, from wide outdoor spaces to an array of Insta-ready indoor settings, snacking on dumplings along the way. Head south to Busan for beach bliss, hop over to Jeju for unspoilt island paradise vibes, and immerse yourself in festival fun in Gyeongju.
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With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
South Korea with children: what to expect?
For a top family holiday destination in Asia, you can’t beat South Korea for genuine cross-generational appeal. From toddlers to grandparents, there’s something to engage everyone at every stop.
A trip to remember
“We couldn’t have asked for more from our family holiday - South Korea fully delivered, and we’ll definitely be back to explore more.”
Andrew P
Cultural capital
Seoul has been described as one of Asia’s most family-friendly cities, offering a full-volume, vivid introduction to the whole spectrum of South Korean life. It has everything from K-drama filming locations to traditional temples, with plenty in between.
Seoul has been described as one of Asia’s most family-friendly cities, offering a full-volume, vivid introduction to the whole spectrum of South Korean life. It has everything from K-drama filming locations to traditional temples, with plenty in between.
Explore the irresistibly-named Dream Park’s flower meadows, look around Seoul Forest’s deer park, and investigate the Changdeokgung Palace’s Secret Gardens. Hop on the city’s buses and subways to explore the striking street art of Ihwa Mural Village and visit traditional tea houses, artisan workshops and museums celebrating everything from kimchi to optical illusions. Ascend the Namsan TV Tower for spectacular views over the city, and wind through the bustling Myeongdong district scoffing street food treats at every turn.
Festival fever
South Korea knows how to throw a party, and there are dozens of festivals throughout the year celebrating everything from seasonal changes to Buddha’s birthday.
South Korea knows how to throw a party, and there are dozens of festivals throughout the year celebrating everything from seasonal changes to Buddha’s birthday.
Along with Seoul, Busan and Gyeongju are especially well known for their colourful galas, and you’re likely to find a festival brewing whatever time of year you visit. The Cherry Blossom and Spring Flower festivals are gorgeous whirlwinds of floral exuberance welcoming in the warmer weather. Families can join the locals at picnics amidst the blossoms and wander through gardens full of giant floral sculptures. Other celebrations include the autumnal lantern festivals, which bring light to the darkening evenings with elaborate parades, and the internationally-renowned Busan Film Festival, which is a must for cinema buffs.
The Great Outdoors…
Away from the capital, South Korea has a thriving beach culture and there are plenty of coastal resorts perfect for some dedicated family R&R.
Away from the capital, South Korea has a thriving beach culture and there are plenty of coastal resorts perfect for some dedicated family R&R.
Jeju Island takes you well away from the bustle for some proper coastal exploration and a few hours of bliss relaxing on Hyeopjae Beach, while Busan is a vibrant city packed with art and culture right next to the coast. Some of Busan’s highest profile beaches can get pretty crowded during the season, but there are some out of the way gems, such as Dadaepo, which have a much more chilled vibe. If you want to head into the hills, South Korea’s beautiful National Parks offer craggy peaks, lush greenery and hidden dells for peaceful walks and forest exploring.
Save it for a rainy day…
In South Korea, rain definitely doesn’t stop play, and the cities are full of fantastic indoor attractions where you can while away the hours.
In South Korea, rain definitely doesn’t stop play, and the cities are full of fantastic indoor attractions where you can while away the hours.
Seoul aces the indoor amusement stakes, with hundreds of options including the Gwacheon National Science Museum (with its ever-exciting dinosaurs and a proper planetarium), and the Children’s Museum’s four floors of hands-on fun. If you’re keen for your family to take a few skills home, you can even learn to create traditional bibimbap rice bowls in an all-levels cookery class! To the north of the capital, the Animation Museum has thousands of items of animation memorabilia from around the world to explore, and the nearby Toy Robot Studios offers an immersive vision of the future.
Top South Korea Journeys for families
Designing your perfect family trip to Asia
The exact shape and details of your journey will be personalised to you by our team of Destination Specialists, so get in touch to start planning your perfect trip…
Get in touch to start planning your bespoke Asia trip.
Our South Korea Specialists' top tips for families
How do our guides work in South Korea?
Having an experienced, knowledgeable and welcoming local guide on hand during your trip is absolutely invaluable. They’ll be able to meet you upon arrival, act as translator, transfer you between locations, and generally make everything go as smoothly as possible. They’ll leave you to your own devices as much or as little as you wish, but we think a good guide is essential for a successful family holiday. We pride ourselves on using only the best guides in a given region and all our guides are trained to the highest level, and fully certified and licensed. The feedback we get from our clients is that the guides make a great trip into an outstanding one.
Is South Korea safe for families?
South Korea is one of Asia’s most up-and-coming destinations for family holidays, and has one of the worlds lowest crime rates. It combines a warm welcome with an efficient infrastructure and excellent public transport, making family holidays a breeze. It’s a safe, supportive and reassuring destination with plenty of kid-focused culture. Within that seeming familiarity, however, some things will still feel strikingly different from what you’re used to, as in every new destination. If you’re unsure of anything at any time, our guides and local contacts are always on hand to offer help and advice.
What vaccinations do I need for South Korea?
When planning a trip to Asia, it’s important to consider the possible requirements for vaccinations and immunisations. Most importantly, we stress that you should contact your doctor or medical practitioner well before you depart to get their advice on any vaccinations you may need for your trip. If you’ve travelled recently and believe that you are already up-to-date, it’s still worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. It’s always worth checking out the NHS Travel Vaccinations site for extra health travel information.
Do I need a visa to go to South Korea?
Citizens from over 110 countries (including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and EU member states) can visit for tourism or short-term business without a visa for periods ranging from 30 to 180 days. However, whether you need a visa or not depends completely on your nationality. We always advise you check with the embassy for the most up-to-date information before you travel.
Inspiring experiences and places to stay
Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…
Start planning your journey here...
With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
Talk to our expert team...
Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.
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